Montreat Minute for September 12, 2025
Mayor’s Summary of the September 11, 2025 Town Council Meeting
Greetings Montreaters,
We had a full house tonight, which always encourages me and the Commissioners. Thank you for your interest in our Town government.
My meeting summary follows below. Remember that the official minutes with far more detail will be in next month’s agenda packet. And you can view tonight’s meeting recording by CLICKING HERE.
Public Forum
I opened the meeting by asking everyone to stand for a moment of silence to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 catastrophe and the thousands of people who were killed and others who were affected. I then opened the Forum to questions:
- Mari Gramling spoke in favor of the Lookout Road bridge proposal to be considered later in the Council meeting.
To read more of the Meeting Summary, CLICK HERE
Montreat Trivia Night Next Thursday, September 18 at 7:00 pm
Join the fun for the first Montreat Trivia Night on Thursday, September 18, at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Community Room. The purpose of the fun evening is to raise funds for beautification of the Town Hall and surrounding property after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Bring friends and neighbors – all are welcome.
Participants will be randomly placed on teams of 2-6 players. Or come with your own team. Questions will focus on Montreat history and present day, ranging from easy to more difficult.
Entry is $10.00 to play but donations are encouraged- cash or check. Win prizes for individual rounds and a grand prize to the highest scores. Then, enjoy a sweet treat at the end of the game. All proceeds go toward Town Hall grounds beautification. There will be a chance to “Shell out for a shrub” for $25. For questions or other information, contact Maggie Elliott at maggieelliott55@yahoo.com or Jan Swetenburg at janswetenburg@gmail.com.
Monster Pumpkin Weigh-In Held
Typically, fall means cooling temperatures, apple picking, leaves turning brilliant colors, and acorns dropping on your car. But in Montreat, fall means the monster pumpkin weigh-in!
This annual event is thanks to Walter and Ruth Ann Somerville’s pumpkin growing prowess. Walter set a goal when he was 10 to grow a 100 pound pumpkin. He broke that record many pumpkins ago. But two years ago, he exceeded even his own wildest expectations with his pumpkin weighing in at an impressive 508 pounds. This year’s pumpkin didn’t quite make that level, as its vine died in August, stopping its momentum. But it still weighed in at a hefty 402 pounds! Friends and neighbors guessed its weight. The closest guesser, without going over, was Ellen Dean, shown in the photo above with her coveted monster pumpkin trophy.
We can’t wait for next year, Walter!
‘One Year After’ Reception Planned
Montreat residents Anne Seaman, Anne Stone, and Kathy Putnam have organized a reception to honor the staff of the Town of Montreat and the Montreat Conference Center for their hard work responding to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene nearly one year ago. The event will be held on September 30th from 2:30 to 4:00 pm on the Moore Center patio. For more information contact the organizers at montreat.thankyou@gmail.com.
Updates and Reminders
- Many thanks to the Montreat Public Works team for installing the attractive wooden guard rails over Flat Creek on Shenandoah Terrace. Particular thanks to Daniel Wiggs, Jarod McIntosh, and Drew Brown for their efforts in making it a safer passage.
- Do you receive your own copy of the Montreat Minute or know someone who doesn’t? Sign up for the Sunshine List to receive the Montreat Minute and stay “in the know” about the Town’s happenings. CLICK HERE to sign up for the list!
- Do you receive Montreat CodeRedalerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane and wildfires? To learn more about CodeRed or to be added to the list, CLICK HERE.
Questions or Comments?
Do you have Town-related questions or comments to offer? If so, please send them to Angela Murphy at info@townofmontreat.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend
